Ticut



(N0 Model.)

0. S. LEET & W. H. NORTHALL.

CARTRIDGE CLOSING MACHINE.

Patented Jan. 1, 1884'.

UNTTnn STaTns PATENT @FIFMJE.

CHARLES S. LEET AND \VILLIAM H. NOR-THALL, OF BRIDGEPORT, TOXXEC- TICUT; SAID NORTHALL ASSIGNOR TO SAID LEluT.

CARTRlDGE-CLOSING MACt-ilNE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 291,207, dated January 1, 1884.

Application filed January 2.1863. (No model) To aZZ- whom it may concern Be it known that we, CHAS. S. LEET and WM. H. NoRrimLL, citizens of the United States, residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cartridge-Closing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in cartridge-closing machines, the object being to provide in machines of this class improved shell-head clamps for the forcing-lever thereof, an improved closer-cup, and bench-clamping devices.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a cartridgeclosing machine constructed according to our invention. Figs. 3, 4-, and 5 are views of the head-clamp; and Fi 6 is an end view, show ing the interior of the closer-cup.

In the drawings, Z) is the frame of the machine. c is a circular shell rest or guide. (I is the closer-cup. e is a crank. a is the shelllever. a is the head-clamp. indicates the pivoted head-clamp levers. 71. is an adjustable clamp-jaw. an is a cam-lever.

Like letters refer to like parts in the several figures.

The frame 7) is preferably cast from any suitable metahand has a slot in one side, across which slot the bar 7) passes. This slot is adapted to receive the clamp-jaw 71, being cast or made separate from the said frame. One or both sides of the slot in frame b, which is adapted to receive one end of the jaw 71, is provided with a series of corrugations, i, and one or both of the sides of said end of jaw h is provided with like corrugations, 1", as

shown, whereby said jaw, by moving it laterally out of said slot, becomes disconnected from frame b, and its position relative to said frame may be so changed by lifting or lowering it and then replacing it in said slot as to make the space between the arm of the jaw and the under side of frame I) more or less wide. The engagement of said jaw with said frame by reason of said matching corrugations is firm and rigid when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2. A cam-lever,

on, is pivoted in the slotted end of the arm of jaw h,- but an ordinary thumbscrew passing vertically through said arm may be substituted for said lever on, if desired. Said screw is a device commonly used on machinesof this class, in which the jaw h is not removable 5 5 for adjustment; but when said jaw is adjustable,as above dcscribed,and thereby provision is made for employing a cam-lever instead of a thumbscrew, the machine can, by the use of said lever, be more rigidly secured to a bench or table than by said thumb-screw, for the improved construction herein shown permits the arm of jaw 71 to be moved near to the under side of the bench on which the machine is to be fastened before the lever in is oper ated to clamp the latter thereto. The usual closer-cup shaft and crank, r, are provided in this machine, and on the inner end of said shaft is secured the closer-cup d.

For the purpose of obviating certain fric- 7c tional disadvantages pertaining to the use of brass and other hard metals in making said closer cups, we manufacture said cups from a i composition substantially like that which is well. known by the name of Babbitt 1netal,- 7 5 which is composed largely of tin, together with lead and a small proportion of copper; and we have found that by turning the edge of the shell forcibly against a cup made of said composition a smoother surface is obtained on the said edge than when said harder metals are used, and the paper from which said shells are made is less likely to be roughened. An other advantage arising from the manufacture of said closer-cups from said soft metal is 8 that said cups are cast in almost complete form for use, in smooth metal molds, including the interior screw-thread by which it is attached to the end of said shaft. Said closer cups are made of an improved form, having a 0 series of openings, 1r, through the bottom thereof, between the shell-turning bosses s therein. Said openings provide means for con veniently removing any dirt or pieces of pa per therefrom, which, ifallowed to remain, em- 9 5 barrass the operator and injure the smooth ness of the shell edge. Another improvement in the form of said eloserrup consists in supplying its inner hub with the lateral projections .2 z 2, between the ends of which and the inner side of the cup the end of the shell is compressed, and whereby a better finish is produced on the interior of the latter, and less frictional resistance is produced than when said inner hub is in the form of an unbroken circle. The frame bis provided with the usual shell-rest, c, to hold the cartridge-shell against lateral movement when forced against cup 01, and the head-clamp lever a is connected to frame I) by the pivoted link 00, whereby the usual freedom of motion is permitted to said lever, to allow the head-clamp n to follow the line of movement of the shell when being forced into the closer-cup (l. The said head-clamp lever a has the head-clamp n pivoted to it in the usual manner; but said head-clamp is provided with one or more head-clamp levers, 0, pivoted to its arms, as shown, and having somewhat theform of elbow-levers. The long arm of each of levers 0 reaches toward the center of said clamp n, and the short arm thereof is formed to swing against the rim of a cartridgeshell and grip it when the headclamp is'so forced against the head of the shell as to cause the latter to press against said long arm of the clamp or clamps 0. Thus the inner edges of said short arms are driven forcibly against the said rim of the shell, and they so hold the shell that when the closer-cup is turned against the opposite end of it to close in the end the shell cannot rotate. The edges of the arms of said clamps 0 which come in contact with said rim' may be properly sharpened, if desired, whereby their hold upon the shell would be increased; but usually, and particularly when used with the closer-cup herein described, the peculiar metal of which greatly reduces the frictional contact of shell and cup, the form of said levers shown will be found to be operative.

By the use of Babbitt or similar metal for the closer-cup, we are enabled to cast the cup of the exact size necessary for use. hen brass is used, as has been customary, the cup has generally been cast and then swaged to size. It cannot with certainty be cast of the proper size, owing to shrinkage and roughness of the metal. The Babbitt-metal closer-cup is selflubricating, and turns over dry paper shells without injurious torsional strain, operating with greater smoothness than brass or other closer-cups with which we are familiar, and requiring less power to operate.

\Ve do not herein claim the device for securing the closing-machine to the table, as that may be the subject of a separate application.

What we claim as our invention is*- 1. In combination with the cartridge-retaining mechanism of a cartridge-closing machine. a closer-cup having perforations or openings in the bottom thereof, substantially as de scribed.

2. In combination with the cartridge-retain ing mechanism of a cartridge-closing machine, a closer-cup provided with radial projections, as 2, 011 its inner hub, substantially as stated.

3. In combination with the cartridge-retaining mechanism of a cartridge-closing machine, the closer-cup having openings through the bottom thereof between its shell-turning bosses, and having projections, as z, on its inner hub, substantially as described.

4. In combination with the head-plate of a cartridge implement, the clamping-lever pivoted to said plate, and arranged, as described, to bear upon the side of the head of the cartridge as the cartridge is forced against said plate, substantially as stated.

5. In a cartridge-closing machine, a closercup composed of Babbitt metal or similar material, substantially as described, and for the purpose stated.

CHARLES S. LEEI. WILLIAM H. NORTHALL.

\Vitnesses:

SHERMAN H. HUBBARD, IVM. R. SHELTON. 

